Surrendering to the Lord
"He must become greater; I must become less".
John 3: 30, NIV
John the Baptist realised that, as Jesus’ ministry began, his was coming to its end and he was content to know that he’d played his part and would now take a secondary role as Jesus became pre-eminent, though I doubt he knew that he would have an early death at the hands of Herod.
In a similar way, when Jesus comes into our lives, we need to learn to take a back seat, allowing Him to guide and lead us, putting Him first in all things. This is a process, as we often struggle with the ‘selfish self’ which would rather do things ‘my way’. There are also occasions when we long for God’s clear guidance and He seems to be silent. Many times I have heard people say, “If only God would tell me what He wants me to do life would be so much easier.” Yes, it probably would be easier, but God allows us to make our own choices because He has given us free will.
What I have written in that last paragraph may seem contradictory, but I believe that as we allow Jesus to fill our hearts, everything we do can be a service for Him. I’m not all that keen on housework for example, but I often remember a line from Teach me my God and King by George Herbert: ‘Who sweeps a room as for Thy laws, makes that and the action fine’. If we do the simple jobs with the love of Jesus in our hearts we can make them special. We can remember that even as we go shopping, or cooking, or cleaning, or whatever it is we are doing, Jesus is with us.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am no longer my own but yours. Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will; put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you, exalted for you, or brought low for you; let me be full, let me be empty, let me have all things, let me have nothing: I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal. And now, glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are mine and I am yours. (Prayer from the Methodist Church Covenant Service.)
Today's Writer : Angela Weir Angela Weir has been associated with Ellel Ministries from the very beginning, first as an associate member of the ministry team and later as an associate teacher. She trained as an actress and after her marriage and move to Cumbria, taught drama in a girls’ school.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Idolatry? What, me?
Idolatry? What, me?
"You shall have no other gods before Me"
Exodus 20:3, NKJV
Two days before Christmas, my netbook got a severe software problem and wouldn’t boot up. (Apologies to those who are already baffled by the vocabulary.) For those who really want to know, an Ubuntu update had managed to corrupt the boot manager, and I didn’t know how to fix it. Suggestions from knowledgeable friends didn’t work either.
Then I noticed something strange and rather disturbing. I was starting to show some classic symptoms of addiction withdrawal - not just moodiness and irritability (because I had caused the problem myself when installing the update), but a feeling of disorientation and something rather akin to grief. I really needed my computer to work, even though this was the Christmas holiday! In other words, I had made an idol of this cheap little netbook.
At church on 26th December I went to the prayer team after the service and confessed the sin of idolatry – I had broken the very first of God’s commandments, and had been looking for comfort in a computer instead of in the God of all comfort. Then through prayer I was released from the hold that Satan had got on me through this sin. I was free.
Idolatry comes in many different disguises. We may find comfort or significance in many things that are not bad in themselves but which can become idols. Maybe this is a good time to take stock: which of my possessions or activities would really cause me grief if I could no longer have it or do it? Have I allowed it to become an idol?
The dearest idol I have known,
Whate’er that idol be
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.
(William Cowper, “O for a closer walk with God”, 1772)
Prayer: Dear Father, please show me if I have allowed something other than You to occupy the throne of my life. I don’t want it to take Your place. Help me to search my heart and make William Cowper’s words real in my life. Amen.
Today's Writer : Roger Pook Roger Pook joined the full-time staff of Ellel East in Hungary in January 1996 after a career in language teaching and financial services. He and his wife Christine are Directors of the Ellel East Regional Nations Centre, and they teach and minister throughout the former communist world.
"You shall have no other gods before Me"
Exodus 20:3, NKJV
Two days before Christmas, my netbook got a severe software problem and wouldn’t boot up. (Apologies to those who are already baffled by the vocabulary.) For those who really want to know, an Ubuntu update had managed to corrupt the boot manager, and I didn’t know how to fix it. Suggestions from knowledgeable friends didn’t work either.
Then I noticed something strange and rather disturbing. I was starting to show some classic symptoms of addiction withdrawal - not just moodiness and irritability (because I had caused the problem myself when installing the update), but a feeling of disorientation and something rather akin to grief. I really needed my computer to work, even though this was the Christmas holiday! In other words, I had made an idol of this cheap little netbook.
At church on 26th December I went to the prayer team after the service and confessed the sin of idolatry – I had broken the very first of God’s commandments, and had been looking for comfort in a computer instead of in the God of all comfort. Then through prayer I was released from the hold that Satan had got on me through this sin. I was free.
Idolatry comes in many different disguises. We may find comfort or significance in many things that are not bad in themselves but which can become idols. Maybe this is a good time to take stock: which of my possessions or activities would really cause me grief if I could no longer have it or do it? Have I allowed it to become an idol?
The dearest idol I have known,
Whate’er that idol be
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.
(William Cowper, “O for a closer walk with God”, 1772)
Prayer: Dear Father, please show me if I have allowed something other than You to occupy the throne of my life. I don’t want it to take Your place. Help me to search my heart and make William Cowper’s words real in my life. Amen.
Today's Writer : Roger Pook Roger Pook joined the full-time staff of Ellel East in Hungary in January 1996 after a career in language teaching and financial services. He and his wife Christine are Directors of the Ellel East Regional Nations Centre, and they teach and minister throughout the former communist world.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
A Sling and a Stone
A Sling and a Stone
"So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David."
1 Samuel 17:50, NKJV
The answer to a huge problem may be quite simple, if it’s in the Lord’s hands, for He knows what’s effective. David knew how to use the sling and the stone, but he was relying on the name of the Lord for the victory and he openly declared it to the enemy (1 Samuel 17:45).
Elisha sent Naaman , the leper, to bathe seven times in the river Jordan, for his healing. This was such a simple thing to do. God has His reasons, which are often hidden from us, yet obedience with humility is required, which often results in a miracle (2 Kings 5:10).
God worked a miracle through Elisha for a woman with a great debt, by using a simple jar of oil, the only thing she had in the house. She poured it out in obedience and her debt problem was solved (2 Kings 4:2).
Jesus fed the five thousand through the simple offering of some loaves and fishes, by a small boy who was willing to share his lunch (Matthew 14:19).
The Lord, in His great wisdom, often uses very simple things. A simple hug, directed by the Holy Spirit, could be just the answer to someone needing comfort or acceptance. A faltering word of testimony from a sincere and humble heart can be more powerful than an eloquent oratory by a prominent or well-known speaker.
Mixed with obedience on our part, and the presence of His Spirit, simple things can become wonderful, powerful experiences.
Prayer: Lord, may we never think that anything You ask is too small for us to do. Help us to be obedient, even though we don’t always understand Your reason. May we trust in Your wisdom, love and power, in Jesus’ mighty Name. Amen.
Today's Writer : Pam Smith Pam Smith has a background in art and nursing, has a son and two daughters and a 'ministry to grandchildren.' She has been a friend and helper of Ellel Ministries since l992, and is involved with Healing Through Creativity Courses. As writer of the Shepherd Love Series, she has a passion for the comfort and encouragement that leads people towards enjoying abundant Life in Jesus.
"So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David."
1 Samuel 17:50, NKJV
The answer to a huge problem may be quite simple, if it’s in the Lord’s hands, for He knows what’s effective. David knew how to use the sling and the stone, but he was relying on the name of the Lord for the victory and he openly declared it to the enemy (1 Samuel 17:45).
Elisha sent Naaman , the leper, to bathe seven times in the river Jordan, for his healing. This was such a simple thing to do. God has His reasons, which are often hidden from us, yet obedience with humility is required, which often results in a miracle (2 Kings 5:10).
God worked a miracle through Elisha for a woman with a great debt, by using a simple jar of oil, the only thing she had in the house. She poured it out in obedience and her debt problem was solved (2 Kings 4:2).
Jesus fed the five thousand through the simple offering of some loaves and fishes, by a small boy who was willing to share his lunch (Matthew 14:19).
The Lord, in His great wisdom, often uses very simple things. A simple hug, directed by the Holy Spirit, could be just the answer to someone needing comfort or acceptance. A faltering word of testimony from a sincere and humble heart can be more powerful than an eloquent oratory by a prominent or well-known speaker.
Mixed with obedience on our part, and the presence of His Spirit, simple things can become wonderful, powerful experiences.
Prayer: Lord, may we never think that anything You ask is too small for us to do. Help us to be obedient, even though we don’t always understand Your reason. May we trust in Your wisdom, love and power, in Jesus’ mighty Name. Amen.
Today's Writer : Pam Smith Pam Smith has a background in art and nursing, has a son and two daughters and a 'ministry to grandchildren.' She has been a friend and helper of Ellel Ministries since l992, and is involved with Healing Through Creativity Courses. As writer of the Shepherd Love Series, she has a passion for the comfort and encouragement that leads people towards enjoying abundant Life in Jesus.
The New has Come
The New has Come
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
(2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
As a believer in Jesus, you are a new creation! You have a new spirit, a new walk, a new life! There may be “old” things in your life that you are trying to get rid of. Maybe you have old habits or addictions that you want to change. Remember today that the new has come. It’s a new year with new opportunities, and it’s time for you to be the new you. Let this be the year that you break old habits and addictions. Let this be the year that you move forward into a new life of victory. Let this be the year that you take hold of all the spiritual blessings the Lord has promised — peace, health, protection and victory.
Be encouraged today because no matter what is happening in your life right now, you have a chance for a new beginning. Choose today to leave the old behind — leave behind old behaviors, old thinking, and old words and embrace the new by faith because this is your year to experience the new life that He has prepared for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for making me new. I choose today to leave behind the old life and ask that You empower me by Your spirit. Help me to understand Your plan and know the truth of Your Word that sets me free. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
(2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
As a believer in Jesus, you are a new creation! You have a new spirit, a new walk, a new life! There may be “old” things in your life that you are trying to get rid of. Maybe you have old habits or addictions that you want to change. Remember today that the new has come. It’s a new year with new opportunities, and it’s time for you to be the new you. Let this be the year that you break old habits and addictions. Let this be the year that you move forward into a new life of victory. Let this be the year that you take hold of all the spiritual blessings the Lord has promised — peace, health, protection and victory.
Be encouraged today because no matter what is happening in your life right now, you have a chance for a new beginning. Choose today to leave the old behind — leave behind old behaviors, old thinking, and old words and embrace the new by faith because this is your year to experience the new life that He has prepared for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for making me new. I choose today to leave behind the old life and ask that You empower me by Your spirit. Help me to understand Your plan and know the truth of Your Word that sets me free. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
Larger than Life
Larger than Life
"...let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us."
Hebrews 12:1(b), Amplified
We recently undertook a long car journey from Scotland to England, which ordinarily is not a problem. However, this journey was different as the UK was, as the TV would report it, in the grip of ‘the Big Freeze’.
Before our journey we had been led to believe that the roads were treacherous and that all travel would be dangerous. Yet the truth was the roads weren’t that bad, although certain sections needed careful navigation and driving through them was hard work. As we approached the more difficult sections of roads we found ourselves asking, “What are we doing? We should have stayed at home.” Yet only a short time later we were back to the clear roads that allowed us to travel safely at reasonable speeds.
We often refer to our Christian lives as a journey, which it is. It’s a journey that many would advise us not to embark upon; citing all the reasons why it could be difficult. I firmly believe one of the enemy’s most successful strategies is to make himself seem bigger than he really is and to make things seem harder than they are.
Yes, there will be difficult times in our lives. Yes, we will have to slow our journey down incredibly to navigate a safe course through it. Yet if we want to get to the end of our journey we’ll have to keep moving. The enemy would love to concern us with the dangers ahead and try to put us off moving on. Even along the way it may feel as though we’ll never see a clear road again and we may ask the question, “What am I doing?” But there’s a clear road ahead and patient perseverance is what’s needed to push through.
It’s true that some people get genuinely stuck on their life journeys – just as many in the UK got stuck on snowy and icy roads. They need to seek God and ask for His timing and perspective – maybe even wait for Him to clear the road ahead of them so that they can keep going. If we’d believed the media hype we’d still be at home, missing Christmas with our families. Equally, if we believe the exaggeration of the enemy about the difficulties on our life journeys then we’ll never move into the destiny God has for each one of us.
When we consider the hindrances to our life journey let’s not allow the enemy to become larger than life, and let’s ask God for His perspective on our situation. Then, as the Scripture says, “let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us”.
Prayer: Father God, I recognise that You alone can see my life’s pathway and I pray that You’ll encourage me on my journey with You. I pray You’ll clear the paths ahead of me and that I won’t be discouraged by the whispers of the enemy. Amen.
Today's Writer : Lindsey Hanekom Lindsey Hanekom has, over the years, worked at all our UK centres! In 2003 Lindsey and her husband, Johann, joined the Blairmore team where she worked as the Centre Administrator as well as ministering and teaching on retreats and courses. She is currently a full-time mum to her baby son, Kyle and enjoys country sports in her spare time.
"...let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us."
Hebrews 12:1(b), Amplified
We recently undertook a long car journey from Scotland to England, which ordinarily is not a problem. However, this journey was different as the UK was, as the TV would report it, in the grip of ‘the Big Freeze’.
Before our journey we had been led to believe that the roads were treacherous and that all travel would be dangerous. Yet the truth was the roads weren’t that bad, although certain sections needed careful navigation and driving through them was hard work. As we approached the more difficult sections of roads we found ourselves asking, “What are we doing? We should have stayed at home.” Yet only a short time later we were back to the clear roads that allowed us to travel safely at reasonable speeds.
We often refer to our Christian lives as a journey, which it is. It’s a journey that many would advise us not to embark upon; citing all the reasons why it could be difficult. I firmly believe one of the enemy’s most successful strategies is to make himself seem bigger than he really is and to make things seem harder than they are.
Yes, there will be difficult times in our lives. Yes, we will have to slow our journey down incredibly to navigate a safe course through it. Yet if we want to get to the end of our journey we’ll have to keep moving. The enemy would love to concern us with the dangers ahead and try to put us off moving on. Even along the way it may feel as though we’ll never see a clear road again and we may ask the question, “What am I doing?” But there’s a clear road ahead and patient perseverance is what’s needed to push through.
It’s true that some people get genuinely stuck on their life journeys – just as many in the UK got stuck on snowy and icy roads. They need to seek God and ask for His timing and perspective – maybe even wait for Him to clear the road ahead of them so that they can keep going. If we’d believed the media hype we’d still be at home, missing Christmas with our families. Equally, if we believe the exaggeration of the enemy about the difficulties on our life journeys then we’ll never move into the destiny God has for each one of us.
When we consider the hindrances to our life journey let’s not allow the enemy to become larger than life, and let’s ask God for His perspective on our situation. Then, as the Scripture says, “let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us”.
Prayer: Father God, I recognise that You alone can see my life’s pathway and I pray that You’ll encourage me on my journey with You. I pray You’ll clear the paths ahead of me and that I won’t be discouraged by the whispers of the enemy. Amen.
Today's Writer : Lindsey Hanekom Lindsey Hanekom has, over the years, worked at all our UK centres! In 2003 Lindsey and her husband, Johann, joined the Blairmore team where she worked as the Centre Administrator as well as ministering and teaching on retreats and courses. She is currently a full-time mum to her baby son, Kyle and enjoys country sports in her spare time.
My Life in His Hands
My Life in His Hands
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24, NIV
There is fundamentally no difference between the first day of the year and any other day of the year! The sun will rise and the sun will set and the world’s history will move forward by another twenty four hours. But the fact that we call the first of January New Year’s day forcibly reminds us of the passing of time and provides us with a means of recording and remembering history.
The weather in the UK has been especially cold these past few weeks and those of us old enough to remember such things have been talking about what it was like in 1947 or 1963 – years when the snow and ice stayed on the ground for exceptionally long periods of time. I will never forget walking up the frozen river in Oxford and skating on the ice! We put the memories of our own lives in place by remembering the date and we measure the events of history by what happened in, say, 1066, 1776 or, closer to home, 1914-18 and 1939-45.
So as we move from one year to another, and wave goodbye to 2010 as we welcome 2011, is anything going to change for you personally in the year ahead? Undoubtedly for every single one of us things are going to happen that will surprise us, maybe, even, shock us, possibly disappoint us as well as excite us. There may be traumas we have to face, unscheduled events that take place or blessings that we could never have dreamt of coming into our lives. None of us know what the year ahead will have in store – and those who think they can foretell the future with every form of astrology or divination are simply telling the world how deceived they are!
There is only One who knows the end from the beginning. There is only One who can be trusted to help us through whatever events and circumstances that we may be looking back on in twelve months time. There is only One who has your very best interest at heart and whose love for you is beyond measure or comprehension.
So, at the beginning of this New Year, my own resolution is one that everyone of us can share in, if we really want to - to trust Him with today, every day of the next three hundred and sixty five days. It is a fact that as we trust Him in the present, He determines our future. I don’t want anyone else to try and forecast what 2011 holds in store for me – I only want to trust the one who truly holds the future in His hands. I don’t need to know what will happen ‘tomorrow’ – for as long as I am trusting Him for ‘today’, I know my tomorrows are safe in His hands. So let’s rejoice in both this first day of the New Year, but let us not forget to rejoice in every day He makes and gives us to enjoy. Each one is a precious gift from our loving Creator.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for this new day and this New Year. Help me to live each and every day of the year, knowing that You have made it and that, whatever happens, my times are utterly safe when they are committed into Your hands. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Today's Writer : Peter Horrobin Peter Horrobin is currently writing an online training school called Ellel 365. This is specifically designed to help people ‘get the message’ and apply the practical truths of God’s Word into their lives. To take a look for yourself go to www.em365.org or click the link under the "links" section of this page.
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24, NIV
There is fundamentally no difference between the first day of the year and any other day of the year! The sun will rise and the sun will set and the world’s history will move forward by another twenty four hours. But the fact that we call the first of January New Year’s day forcibly reminds us of the passing of time and provides us with a means of recording and remembering history.
The weather in the UK has been especially cold these past few weeks and those of us old enough to remember such things have been talking about what it was like in 1947 or 1963 – years when the snow and ice stayed on the ground for exceptionally long periods of time. I will never forget walking up the frozen river in Oxford and skating on the ice! We put the memories of our own lives in place by remembering the date and we measure the events of history by what happened in, say, 1066, 1776 or, closer to home, 1914-18 and 1939-45.
So as we move from one year to another, and wave goodbye to 2010 as we welcome 2011, is anything going to change for you personally in the year ahead? Undoubtedly for every single one of us things are going to happen that will surprise us, maybe, even, shock us, possibly disappoint us as well as excite us. There may be traumas we have to face, unscheduled events that take place or blessings that we could never have dreamt of coming into our lives. None of us know what the year ahead will have in store – and those who think they can foretell the future with every form of astrology or divination are simply telling the world how deceived they are!
There is only One who knows the end from the beginning. There is only One who can be trusted to help us through whatever events and circumstances that we may be looking back on in twelve months time. There is only One who has your very best interest at heart and whose love for you is beyond measure or comprehension.
So, at the beginning of this New Year, my own resolution is one that everyone of us can share in, if we really want to - to trust Him with today, every day of the next three hundred and sixty five days. It is a fact that as we trust Him in the present, He determines our future. I don’t want anyone else to try and forecast what 2011 holds in store for me – I only want to trust the one who truly holds the future in His hands. I don’t need to know what will happen ‘tomorrow’ – for as long as I am trusting Him for ‘today’, I know my tomorrows are safe in His hands. So let’s rejoice in both this first day of the New Year, but let us not forget to rejoice in every day He makes and gives us to enjoy. Each one is a precious gift from our loving Creator.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for this new day and this New Year. Help me to live each and every day of the year, knowing that You have made it and that, whatever happens, my times are utterly safe when they are committed into Your hands. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Today's Writer : Peter Horrobin Peter Horrobin is currently writing an online training school called Ellel 365. This is specifically designed to help people ‘get the message’ and apply the practical truths of God’s Word into their lives. To take a look for yourself go to www.em365.org or click the link under the "links" section of this page.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
170. Yesus mati - Matius 27:45-56
Kematian Yesus menimbulkan banyak kontroversi, karena banyak orang yg berkata,"Kalau Dia Tuhan, kenapa Yesus bisa mati?" Karena Tuhan adalah Allah yg kekal, berarti kalau Yesus adalah Allah, Yesus tidak mungkin mengalami kematian. Dan kalau Yesus mengalami kematian, maka Yesus bukanlah Allah. Oleh karena itu banyak orang yg berpikir bahwa Yesus adalah nabi, karena kalau menyebut Yesus sebagai Tuhan, maka itu adalah suatu penghujatan atas nama Tuhan.
Tetapi, ingatlah bahwa Nabi akan mengalami pelayanannya ketika ia dilahirkan dan mendapat wahyu dari Allah. Jadi ada 2 hal yg terjadi: saat ia lahir atau saat ia mendapat wahyu dari Allah. Tetapi, Yesus sangat berbeda, karena sebelum IA lahir, nubuatan-nubuatan tentang Yesus sudah terjadi. Bahkan ketika di dalam kandungan sudah dijelaskan oleh malaikat bahwa Maria mengandung oleh Roh Kudus, bukan dari hasil hubungan suami dan istri: "Yusuf dan Maria." Dan Yesus tidak mengakhiri pelayanannya saat ia mati. Tetapi, setelah kematiannya, Yesus bangkit dari kematianNYA. Jadi, pada hari ke-3 setelah kematiannya, Yesus bangkit. Itu membuktikan bahwa kematian Yesus disertai dengan tujuan.
Jadi, kematian Yesus berbeda dengan kematian raja, para bangsawan maupun tokoh-tokoh agama. Biasanya orang mati, karena tidak ada pertolongan lagi. Orang memang mati, karena biasanya waktunya telah tiba. Tetapi, Yesus mati dengan sebuah tujuan dan misi. Dan tujuan serta misinya adalah bahwa setiap orang yg percaya termasuk saya dan saudara sekalian dapat hidup kekal selama-lamanya, haleluya!Di dalam Matius 27:
45Mulai dari jam dua belas kegelapan meliputi seluruh daerah itu sampai jam tiga. 46Kira-kira jam tiga berserulah Yesus dengan suara nyaring: "Eli, Eli lama sabakhtani?" Artinya: Allah-Ku, Allah-Ku, mengapa Engkau meninggalkan Aku? 47Mendengar itu, beberapa orang yang berdiri di situ berkata: "Ia memanggil Elia." 48Dan segeralah datang seorang dari mereka; ia mengambil bunga karang, mencelupkannya ke dalam anggur asam, lalu mencucukkannya pada sebatang buluh dan memberi Yesus minum. 49Tetapi orang-orang lain berkata: "Jangan, baiklah kita lihat, apakah Elia datang untuk menyelamatkan Dia." 50Yesus berseru pula dengan suara nyaring lalu menyerahkan nyawa-Nya. 51Dan lihatlah, tabir Bait Suci terbelah dua dari atas sampai ke bawah dan terjadilah gempa bumi, dan bukit-bukit batu terbelah. 52dan kuburan-kuburan terbuka dan banyak orang kudus yang telah meninggal bangkit. 53Dan sesudah kebangkitan Yesus, merekapun keluar dari kubur, lalu masuk ke kota Kudus dan menampakkan diri kepada banyak orang. 54Kepala pasukan dan prajurit-prajuritnya yang menjaga Yesus menjadi sangat takut ketika mereka melihat gempa bumi dan apa yang telah terjadi, lalu berkata: "Sungguh, Ia ini adalah Anak Allah." 55Dan ada di situ banyak perempuan yang melihat dari jauh, yaitu perempuan-perempuan yang mengikuti Yesus dari Galilea untuk melayani Dia. 56Di antara mereka terdapat Maria Magdalena, dan Maria ibu Yakobus dan Yusuf, dan ibu anak-anak Zebedeus.
Nah, saudaraku yg kekasih dalam Tuhan, seperti yg telah saya bilang di atas bahwa banyak orang yg mempertanyakan tentang kematian Yesus. Karena kematian adalah suatu tanda bahwa Yesus lemah, dan tidak kekal. Tetapi, kematian Yesus adalah kematian yg disertai dengan tujuan dan misi. Ada beberapa hal penting yg dapat kita pelajari mengenai arti dari kematian Yesus:
1. Kematian Yesus adalah akibat dari penyerahan diriNYA
Ayat ke-50 Yesus berseru pula dengan suara nyaring lalu menyerahkan nyawa-Nya. Jadi, saudara harus ingat bahwa Yesus mati, bukan karena IA dicabut oleh Malaikat maut. Karena tidak ada yg dapat mencabut nyawaNYA, karena Yesus adalah Allah sendiri. Tetapi Alkitab berkata bahwa ketika Yesus disiksa, ketika Yesus disalibkan, dan darah mulai mengalir dan Yesus berteriak "Eli, Eli lama sabakhtani?" Artinya: Allah-Ku, Allah-Ku, mengapa Engkau meninggalkan Aku? Tetapi setelah itu Yesus berkata,"Bapa, Bapa ke dalam tanganMU kuserahkan nyawaKU."
Dan setelah Yesus menyerahkan nyawanya dan menyerahkan hidupNYA, barulah kematian itu dapat terjadi. Ini membuktikan bahwa Yesus adalah Tuhan, ini membuktikan bahwa Yesus adalah dahsyat. Yesus punya kuasa untuk menentukan kematianNYA. Berbeda dengan Nabi, saat ia berhadapan dengan kematiannya, ia tidak bisa tawar menawar lagi, ia harus mati. Ada beberapa orang yg saat menjelang kematiannya sudah memiliki perasaan bahwa ia akan mati. Tetapi ia tidak punya kuasa untuk menambah atau mengurangi kematiannya. Tetapi jelas dan sangat berbeda dengan Yesus, Ia tidak mati saat kematian itu datang. KematianNYA datang, di saat Yesus menyerahkanNYA, dan Yesus berkata,"Bapa, ke dalam tanganMU kuserahkan nyawaKU." Jadi, jelas bahwa Kematian Yesus adalah akibat penyerahan, bukan akibat dari kelemahan.
2. Kematian Yesus adalah awal dari perkara-perkara besar
Pada ayat yg ke-51 Dan lihatlah, tabir Bait Suci terbelah dua dari atas sampai ke bawah....."Jadi, kita lihat bahwa tabir bait Suci yg memisahkan bait suci dengan ruang Maha Suci, tetapi saat kematian Yesus, tiba-tiba terbelah." Mungkin banyak orang yg beranggapan, "wah...itu sih hanya kebetulan!" Tetapi, waktunya begitu tepat, sehingga tidak ada seorangpun yg berkata bahwa itu hanya suatu kebetulah saja. Karena, bukan hanya tabir Bait Suci saja yg terbelah, tetapi bersamaan dengan itu,...terjadilah gempa bumi, dan bukit-bukit batu terbelah dan kuburan-kuburan terbuka dan banyak orang kudus yang telah meninggal bangkit. Dan dikatakan di ayat yg ke-53 Dan sesudah kebangkitan Yesus, merekapun keluar dari kubur, lalu masuk ke kota Kudus dan menampakkan diri kepada banyak orang.
Nah, saudaraku yg kekasih dalam Tuhan, berarti kematian Yesus adalah awal dari sebuah perkara besar. Dengan lain kata, seandainya Yesus tidak mati, maka kita tidak akan melihat perkara-perkara besar di dalam kehidupan kita. justru kematian Yesus adalah dasar sehingga kita dapat melihat perkara-perkara besar dan dahsyat dalam kehidupan kita. Itulah sebabnya, di dalam kekristenan, kita tidak mengenal kata "menyerah." Itu sebabnya kita sebagai anak Tuhan tidak perlu takut akan apapun. Kenapa kita tidak boleh takut dan menyerah? Karena, Kristus yg kita sembah 2000 tahun yg lalu, bukan hanya Tuhan yg menyediakan Sorga buat kita, tetapi Yesus yg kita sembah adalah Yesus yg mati buat dosa kita, yg menebus dosa dan pelanggaran-pelanggaran kita. Karena kematianNYA, bukan hanya hidup yg kita peroleh, tetapi hidup yg berkelimpahan.
Berarti jelas, bahwa kematian Yesus adalah awal dari perkara-perkara besar, karena mengapa? Karena tirai dari Bait suci terbelah, itu berarti: Setiap dari kita dapat menghampiri tahta Kemuliaan Tuhan, karena oleh darahNYA yg tercurah kita dengan bangga dan berani masuk ke dalam hadiratNYA, Ibrani 4:16. Dan itu semua bukanlah karena kebaikan dan kemampuan kita, tetapi oleh karena KuasaNYA yg luar biasa, oleh karena darahNYA, oleh karena kematianNYA. Jadi, lewat kematian Kristus, setiap dari kita dapat tegar berdiri, sehingga kita tidak perlu takut.
3. Kematian Yesus adalah bukti bahwa Yesus adalah Allah
Kenapa kematian Yesus membuktikan KeAllahanNYA? Kita lihat pada ayat yg ke- 54Kepala pasukan dan prajurit-prajuritnya yang menjaga Yesus menjadi sangat takut ketika mereka melihat gempa bumi dan apa yang telah terjadi, lalu berkata: "Sungguh, Ia ini adalah Anak Allah."
Justru mereka orang-orang yg membenci Yesus dan tidak percaya, justru mereka adalah orang-orang yg begitu menyerang Yesus. Tetapi, saat melihat kematianNYA, mereka dapat berkata,"sungguh kematianNYA dahsyat, orang ini adalah Anak Allah."
Jadi, hari ini saya mau ingatkan kepada saudara, bahwa Yesus bukan mengasihi kita hanya dengan kata-kata. Yesus sudah mati, dan serahkan nyawanya buat kita. Biarlah kita hari ini dengan iman, bangkit dan berkata,"Saya percaya bahwa Engkau adalah Tuhan di atas segala Tuhan dan Raja di atas segala Raja, sehingga kita tidak perlu takut, haleluya!"
Doa:
Bapa, di dalam Nama Yesus, lihatlah kami semua dengan semua masalah, tantangan dan pergumulan hidup, bahkan kami semua yg mulai goyah imannya, tetapi hari ini Tuhan berita mengenai kematian Yesus mengingatkan kami bahwa Engkau adalah Allah, bahwa KuasaMU tidak terbatas dan kuasaMU mampu lakukan segala perkara. Di dalam Nama Yesus, jamah kami semua, sehingga kami boleh melihat Kemuliaan dan KuasaMU yg luar biasa, dalam Nama Yesus kami berdoa, amin!
Tetapi, ingatlah bahwa Nabi akan mengalami pelayanannya ketika ia dilahirkan dan mendapat wahyu dari Allah. Jadi ada 2 hal yg terjadi: saat ia lahir atau saat ia mendapat wahyu dari Allah. Tetapi, Yesus sangat berbeda, karena sebelum IA lahir, nubuatan-nubuatan tentang Yesus sudah terjadi. Bahkan ketika di dalam kandungan sudah dijelaskan oleh malaikat bahwa Maria mengandung oleh Roh Kudus, bukan dari hasil hubungan suami dan istri: "Yusuf dan Maria." Dan Yesus tidak mengakhiri pelayanannya saat ia mati. Tetapi, setelah kematiannya, Yesus bangkit dari kematianNYA. Jadi, pada hari ke-3 setelah kematiannya, Yesus bangkit. Itu membuktikan bahwa kematian Yesus disertai dengan tujuan.
Jadi, kematian Yesus berbeda dengan kematian raja, para bangsawan maupun tokoh-tokoh agama. Biasanya orang mati, karena tidak ada pertolongan lagi. Orang memang mati, karena biasanya waktunya telah tiba. Tetapi, Yesus mati dengan sebuah tujuan dan misi. Dan tujuan serta misinya adalah bahwa setiap orang yg percaya termasuk saya dan saudara sekalian dapat hidup kekal selama-lamanya, haleluya!Di dalam Matius 27:
45Mulai dari jam dua belas kegelapan meliputi seluruh daerah itu sampai jam tiga. 46Kira-kira jam tiga berserulah Yesus dengan suara nyaring: "Eli, Eli lama sabakhtani?" Artinya: Allah-Ku, Allah-Ku, mengapa Engkau meninggalkan Aku? 47Mendengar itu, beberapa orang yang berdiri di situ berkata: "Ia memanggil Elia." 48Dan segeralah datang seorang dari mereka; ia mengambil bunga karang, mencelupkannya ke dalam anggur asam, lalu mencucukkannya pada sebatang buluh dan memberi Yesus minum. 49Tetapi orang-orang lain berkata: "Jangan, baiklah kita lihat, apakah Elia datang untuk menyelamatkan Dia." 50Yesus berseru pula dengan suara nyaring lalu menyerahkan nyawa-Nya. 51Dan lihatlah, tabir Bait Suci terbelah dua dari atas sampai ke bawah dan terjadilah gempa bumi, dan bukit-bukit batu terbelah. 52dan kuburan-kuburan terbuka dan banyak orang kudus yang telah meninggal bangkit. 53Dan sesudah kebangkitan Yesus, merekapun keluar dari kubur, lalu masuk ke kota Kudus dan menampakkan diri kepada banyak orang. 54Kepala pasukan dan prajurit-prajuritnya yang menjaga Yesus menjadi sangat takut ketika mereka melihat gempa bumi dan apa yang telah terjadi, lalu berkata: "Sungguh, Ia ini adalah Anak Allah." 55Dan ada di situ banyak perempuan yang melihat dari jauh, yaitu perempuan-perempuan yang mengikuti Yesus dari Galilea untuk melayani Dia. 56Di antara mereka terdapat Maria Magdalena, dan Maria ibu Yakobus dan Yusuf, dan ibu anak-anak Zebedeus.
Nah, saudaraku yg kekasih dalam Tuhan, seperti yg telah saya bilang di atas bahwa banyak orang yg mempertanyakan tentang kematian Yesus. Karena kematian adalah suatu tanda bahwa Yesus lemah, dan tidak kekal. Tetapi, kematian Yesus adalah kematian yg disertai dengan tujuan dan misi. Ada beberapa hal penting yg dapat kita pelajari mengenai arti dari kematian Yesus:
1. Kematian Yesus adalah akibat dari penyerahan diriNYA
Ayat ke-50 Yesus berseru pula dengan suara nyaring lalu menyerahkan nyawa-Nya. Jadi, saudara harus ingat bahwa Yesus mati, bukan karena IA dicabut oleh Malaikat maut. Karena tidak ada yg dapat mencabut nyawaNYA, karena Yesus adalah Allah sendiri. Tetapi Alkitab berkata bahwa ketika Yesus disiksa, ketika Yesus disalibkan, dan darah mulai mengalir dan Yesus berteriak "Eli, Eli lama sabakhtani?" Artinya: Allah-Ku, Allah-Ku, mengapa Engkau meninggalkan Aku? Tetapi setelah itu Yesus berkata,"Bapa, Bapa ke dalam tanganMU kuserahkan nyawaKU."
Dan setelah Yesus menyerahkan nyawanya dan menyerahkan hidupNYA, barulah kematian itu dapat terjadi. Ini membuktikan bahwa Yesus adalah Tuhan, ini membuktikan bahwa Yesus adalah dahsyat. Yesus punya kuasa untuk menentukan kematianNYA. Berbeda dengan Nabi, saat ia berhadapan dengan kematiannya, ia tidak bisa tawar menawar lagi, ia harus mati. Ada beberapa orang yg saat menjelang kematiannya sudah memiliki perasaan bahwa ia akan mati. Tetapi ia tidak punya kuasa untuk menambah atau mengurangi kematiannya. Tetapi jelas dan sangat berbeda dengan Yesus, Ia tidak mati saat kematian itu datang. KematianNYA datang, di saat Yesus menyerahkanNYA, dan Yesus berkata,"Bapa, ke dalam tanganMU kuserahkan nyawaKU." Jadi, jelas bahwa Kematian Yesus adalah akibat penyerahan, bukan akibat dari kelemahan.
2. Kematian Yesus adalah awal dari perkara-perkara besar
Pada ayat yg ke-51 Dan lihatlah, tabir Bait Suci terbelah dua dari atas sampai ke bawah....."Jadi, kita lihat bahwa tabir bait Suci yg memisahkan bait suci dengan ruang Maha Suci, tetapi saat kematian Yesus, tiba-tiba terbelah." Mungkin banyak orang yg beranggapan, "wah...itu sih hanya kebetulan!" Tetapi, waktunya begitu tepat, sehingga tidak ada seorangpun yg berkata bahwa itu hanya suatu kebetulah saja. Karena, bukan hanya tabir Bait Suci saja yg terbelah, tetapi bersamaan dengan itu,...terjadilah gempa bumi, dan bukit-bukit batu terbelah dan kuburan-kuburan terbuka dan banyak orang kudus yang telah meninggal bangkit. Dan dikatakan di ayat yg ke-53 Dan sesudah kebangkitan Yesus, merekapun keluar dari kubur, lalu masuk ke kota Kudus dan menampakkan diri kepada banyak orang.
Nah, saudaraku yg kekasih dalam Tuhan, berarti kematian Yesus adalah awal dari sebuah perkara besar. Dengan lain kata, seandainya Yesus tidak mati, maka kita tidak akan melihat perkara-perkara besar di dalam kehidupan kita. justru kematian Yesus adalah dasar sehingga kita dapat melihat perkara-perkara besar dan dahsyat dalam kehidupan kita. Itulah sebabnya, di dalam kekristenan, kita tidak mengenal kata "menyerah." Itu sebabnya kita sebagai anak Tuhan tidak perlu takut akan apapun. Kenapa kita tidak boleh takut dan menyerah? Karena, Kristus yg kita sembah 2000 tahun yg lalu, bukan hanya Tuhan yg menyediakan Sorga buat kita, tetapi Yesus yg kita sembah adalah Yesus yg mati buat dosa kita, yg menebus dosa dan pelanggaran-pelanggaran kita. Karena kematianNYA, bukan hanya hidup yg kita peroleh, tetapi hidup yg berkelimpahan.
Berarti jelas, bahwa kematian Yesus adalah awal dari perkara-perkara besar, karena mengapa? Karena tirai dari Bait suci terbelah, itu berarti: Setiap dari kita dapat menghampiri tahta Kemuliaan Tuhan, karena oleh darahNYA yg tercurah kita dengan bangga dan berani masuk ke dalam hadiratNYA, Ibrani 4:16. Dan itu semua bukanlah karena kebaikan dan kemampuan kita, tetapi oleh karena KuasaNYA yg luar biasa, oleh karena darahNYA, oleh karena kematianNYA. Jadi, lewat kematian Kristus, setiap dari kita dapat tegar berdiri, sehingga kita tidak perlu takut.
3. Kematian Yesus adalah bukti bahwa Yesus adalah Allah
Kenapa kematian Yesus membuktikan KeAllahanNYA? Kita lihat pada ayat yg ke- 54Kepala pasukan dan prajurit-prajuritnya yang menjaga Yesus menjadi sangat takut ketika mereka melihat gempa bumi dan apa yang telah terjadi, lalu berkata: "Sungguh, Ia ini adalah Anak Allah."
Justru mereka orang-orang yg membenci Yesus dan tidak percaya, justru mereka adalah orang-orang yg begitu menyerang Yesus. Tetapi, saat melihat kematianNYA, mereka dapat berkata,"sungguh kematianNYA dahsyat, orang ini adalah Anak Allah."
Jadi, hari ini saya mau ingatkan kepada saudara, bahwa Yesus bukan mengasihi kita hanya dengan kata-kata. Yesus sudah mati, dan serahkan nyawanya buat kita. Biarlah kita hari ini dengan iman, bangkit dan berkata,"Saya percaya bahwa Engkau adalah Tuhan di atas segala Tuhan dan Raja di atas segala Raja, sehingga kita tidak perlu takut, haleluya!"
Doa:
Bapa, di dalam Nama Yesus, lihatlah kami semua dengan semua masalah, tantangan dan pergumulan hidup, bahkan kami semua yg mulai goyah imannya, tetapi hari ini Tuhan berita mengenai kematian Yesus mengingatkan kami bahwa Engkau adalah Allah, bahwa KuasaMU tidak terbatas dan kuasaMU mampu lakukan segala perkara. Di dalam Nama Yesus, jamah kami semua, sehingga kami boleh melihat Kemuliaan dan KuasaMU yg luar biasa, dalam Nama Yesus kami berdoa, amin!
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